Structured questions and short answer questions
Questions with one to four marks usually start with command words. If a question starts with the command word 'state', 'give', 'name' or 'write down', it needs a short answer only. This type of question can often be answered with one word or phrase.
It is important to state, give, name or write down the number of things that the question asks for. If you write down fewer, you cannot get all the marks. If you write down more, and one is wrong, you might lose a mark.
Some questions start with the command words 'describe', 'explain' or 'compare'. These are often worth two or more marks:
- Describe means you should recall facts, events or processes accurately. You might need to give an account of what something looked like, or what happened.
- Explain means you need to make something clear, or state the reasons for something happening. The points in the answer must be linked together. The answer must not be a list of reasons. All the points must be relevant to the question.
- Compare means you need to describe similarities and differences between things. If you are asked to compare X and Y, write down something about X and something about Y and give a comparison. Do not just write about X only or Y only.
More complex structured questions will be worth three or four marks. They include questions with complex descriptions and explanations and questions in which you need to compare things.
Some of the answers are shown here as bullet points. This is to show clearly how a mark can be obtained. However, do not use bullet points in your answers - the points must be linked together logically.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Greenhouse gases cause global warming.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Name two other greenhouse gases. [2 marks]
Water vapour [1] and methane [1].
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Rainwater collects in rivers and lakes.
Water in rivers and lakes contains materials that make the water unsafe to drink.
Describe how the water from rivers and lakes is treated to make it safe to drink. [4 marks]
Solid materials [1] are removed by filtration or by passing through filter beds [1].
Microbes [1] are killed by sterilisation [1].
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Humans can use different methods to produce animals and plants with desired characteristics.
There are many different breeds of horse.
Horse racing is an ancient sport.
Selective breeding has been used for centuries to produce racehorses.
Describe the steps involved in selective breeding to produce a racehorse. [3 marks]
Select the fastest male and female to cross / mate [1].
Select the fastest offspring and breed from them [1].
Repeat over several generations to produce faster horses [1].
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Oxides of nitrogen are produced when fuels are burnt.
Write a balanced symbol equation for the production of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from nitrogen and oxygen. [2 marks]
\(\text{N}_{2} + 2\text{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2\text{NO}_{2}\)
You will receive full marks by showing:
- correct formulae for reactants [1]
- correct balancing [1]
